I had originally thought I could address the book "The Secret" in two articles, but there is another statement that is so out of alignment with the intent and purpose of scripture it deserves attention. It is this:
"Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus were not only prosperity teachers, but also millionaires themselves, with more affluent lifestyles than many present-day millionaires could conceive of."
Let's talk about the lives of some of these men to see if they measure up to this claim.
"I will bless you and make you great..." This was a promise made by God to Abraham. Was he actually a 'prosperity teacher'? Did he live his life by the tenents of the so called 'law of attraction'? We know nothing of Abraham's early life. He was 75 years old when God appeared to him. Most of the rest of his life was spent wandering - which means he probably lived in a tent for that time. He did live for periods in what could be called the lap of luxury- in Egypt the Pharaoh took a liking to his wife and he was treated well because of her. He was also treated well by Abimelech, a Philistine king. Both relationships ended badly. It seems Abraham had a problem with lying. He told these leaders his wife was his sister. A number of Abraham's problems were self inflicted. The behaviors he demonstrated are certainly not in keeping with sending happy thoughts to the universe. I'm not even sure if his emotional condition is ever mentioned. However, he is known by one outstanding trait. Obedience to God. He did acquire a great deal of wealth along the way. Most of that was in the form of livestock.
While Isaac seems to have inerited is father's penchant for misrepresentation, his sons took it to a new level. Jacob used deceit to steal his brother's birthright and lived most of his life in fear of his sibling, who had vowed to kill him. Years later when they met again Jacob was so afraid he split his possessions in half, thinking that if one group was attacked, the other might be able to get away. He came along last. He was not what we would call a picture of ebullient self-confidence.
Joseph, was of exemplary character and competence. As a young man his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. Later he was falsely accused of philandering with his boss' wife and thrown into prison for a number of years. Finally, some two years after interpreting the dream of one of his cell mates, he was called into the presence of Pharaoh himself. His interpretation of Pharaoh's dream was accepted and he became one of the highest ranking officials in Egypt. The rest, as they say, is history. Nothing bad is ever said of Joseph.
Joseph would be the closest of these who would have lived a luxurious lifestyle. But not before all the other bad things happened. Those events were not in his control. His life should be studied, not for how richly he lived, but because of his attitude and perseverance.
I've already written about Jesus in a previous article, but I will mention a few things. Was his lifestyle the envy of millionaires today? Not exactly. At one time when asked where he lived he replied, "...foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has not where to lay his head...." He never amassed riches for himself and spent His life exclusively in the service of others. His death on the cross was to atone for the sins of all mankind.
Jesus taught that putting faith in Him was of supreme importance, above any kind of riches, business success, or health. He told his followers that gaining the wealth of the entire planet was worthless if they died without Him.
It would be incorrect to say that any of these people "...lived more affluent lifestyles than many present-day millionaires could conceive of...." Even the richest king of Israel, Solomon, who made approximately a billion dollars in gold each year, couldn't flip on a light switch, turn on a TV, or reach into a refrigerator and pull out a cold drink. An American of modest means today has it better than these people did for most or all of their days.
The scriptures help us put things in perspective. While having a lot of money and the attendant material things can be good, their weight becomes very small when compared to eternity. Especially if those things become a hindrance to a right relationship with God. "...lay not up for yourselves treasure upon the earth, ...but rather lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...." This is the kind of prosperity taught by Jesus. We would do well to follow His advice.
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